Global Burden, Trends, and Inequalities of Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Cancer, 1990–2021: A Decomposition and Age–Period–Cohort Analysis
2025

Global Trends and Inequalities in Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Cancer (1990–2021)

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sen Lei, Huang Guizhong, Li Xiaohui, Xi Pu, Yao Zehui, Lin Xiaojun

Primary Institution: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat‐Sen University Cancer Center

Hypothesis

This study aimed to evaluate the updated condition of gallbladder and biliary tract cancer (GBTC) temporal burden trends and inequalities from 1990 to 2021.

Conclusion

There are significant regional and gender differences in the global burden of GBTC, with population growth being a major contributor to the burden.

Supporting Evidence

  • In 2021, there were 216,768 new cases of GBTC globally.
  • High-income regions showed a higher burden of GBTC, while Western Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest.
  • Population growth was identified as the primary driver of increased GBTC burden globally.
  • Significant disparities in GBTC burden by socio-demographic index were observed.
  • Projections indicate a slow decline in the global age-standardized rate through 2040.

Takeaway

Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer is becoming more common, especially in certain regions and among men, but overall rates are slowly declining.

Methodology

Data on GBTC were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, using age–period–cohort models and decomposition analysis.

Potential Biases

Potential confounding effects of various metabolic risk factors were not fully evaluated.

Limitations

The study's conclusions may be confounded by misdiagnosis or human errors in data collection, and it did not assess the burden of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma due to a lack of data.

Participant Demographics

The study analyzed data stratified by sex, age, and socio-demographic index (SDI).

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI: −0.50% to −0.28%

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1111/liv.16199

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